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Look at the 4 epies gites on www.gites-de-france.fr We pay deposit for rental, then 8 weeks before the holiday the balance is due. The security deposit (usually around 300 euros for gite de characteur) - cash or cheque - is paid on arrival when the owner shows us around. I'm really pleased that you walked away from that one!

I'm not bothered about the make over, but right now, I'd really like the 2 grand!

Trocs and Depot Ventes are great for buyers and also folks who need a house clearance done after a death etc. But, remember the seller often has to pay up to 50% commission so I wouldn't go there unless I was fairly desperate or didn't care if I didn't get much for the item. I'd try listing them on free websites first such as AngloInfo and TF. I'd also put small ads in the local shop (with photos) and maybe try ebay. Good luck M.

Absolutely! That's why we rent through gites-de-france, then we can choose whether we clean up or pay a cleaning charge. We all know where we stand (us and the owners), and as I said earlier, we always do a hoover up and basic clean of kitchen and bathroom before we leave. But, there is no way I'm going to spend the day before we leave scrubbing - pleeeeease - it's a one week stay for g**s sake and it's MY holiday. I'm always fascinated by the posts on here - especially those of you who spend your time guest watching; how many times they use the washing machine, go out, have friends round etc etc. Me thinks some of you are definitely in the wrong job!!

At long last we are planning our house warming party (now that the renovations are all but finished) for the last Saturday of October. We're inviting folks from about 7.30 onwards and plan a hot and cold buffet. As around half the friends invited will be French do you think they'll be happy to forgo their evening meal for buffet style food as I can't do a sitdown for 40+?

Only UK government pensions are taxable in the UK. You will have to declare it (what you recive after moving to France in 2006) on a French tax return (which you collect from your local tax office next April/May). If you are not moving here permanently until 2007, you declare it in 2008.

Well, as someone who also suffers the same phobia - they are not a piece of cake for me!! One of them is short and straight, that I could handle, but the other one is much longer and curved! so I don't take the chance of driving over them, MOH does any sections which we know have bridges/viaducts. Are you able to share the driving, Kathy? I'll pm the exact locations when I get my map back (car is en panne at the garage today!) - all viaducts from Boulogne to Poitiers (well, actually, just south of Tours) are marked with a big red cross! Don't worry, you are not alone!! There are several of us around who need therapy!

We always rent through GdF. In every case we have had the option (which we usually take) of hiring bedding, and paying a cleaning charge (usually 45 euros) on top of the rental amount. We always hoover round and do basic clean of bathroom and kitchen but there is no way I want to spend hours doing deep cleaning on my final day, but French renters it seems are happy to do that. You must have clear T&C which are sent out, signed and returned. After all, you are running a business and want to look professional. Just add this option to your T&C and ask guests when they arrive if they want to take it up. Everyone knows where they stand and, if the option hasn't been taken, and the house is left in a mess you can happily deduct it from the deposit. PS With GdF we always pay a 250-300 euro deposit for a three epie gite de characteur.

Thanks for that Val , looks stunning, another not to be missed activity. Have just googled it and got images (great) and an Ossau forum which lists a few restaurants. Wish I'd booked for a fortnight now!

Just tell them that unless you can get a booking for those four nights, you'll have to charge them, and I'm sure they will expect to pay. You can always give them a discount, or a free night or something, on their next definite booking. After all, as you say it is their choice, and, you have a business to run. Sorry S, I'm not in your line of trade but, unless it was a life or death situation (which should be covered by insurance), I would expect to pay. Word of advice: never become too friendly with your guests/customers etc. We've found that sometimes business and pleasure don't always mix.

This may help: http://www.totalfrance.com/france/forum/viewtopic.php?t=17269

We've been several times taking visitors and I always come away feeling stunned that this atrocity happened. Each time we go, it's really good to see coach loads of French school kids at the site. I think every child in the region gets a chance to visit Oradour with their school, and so it should be. Another good, deeply moving place to visit for me is the memorial to the resistance fighters up on a hill at Chasseneuil overlooking Charente.

Wow - that looks terrific for a family - have to remember that one. We got a GdF gite rural near Asson, west of Lourdes.

Hi - I brought this up to the top again as I'm now getting very excited. I always love our annual gite holiday and thanks to your imput this one sounds as if it will be great. I've got less than three weeks to get fit! Katie - are the cable cars enclosed and, where is the white water rafting?? I think we have the days nicely covered depending on the weather, but are there any good restaurants (not too expensive) around which are open most evenings?

I think one of them has died.

I think the only way to choose your kitchen is to drive around to the stores and look properly. Website pictures are never very great and France has been years behind the kitchens on offer in the UK and is only now catching up. (Castorama is related to B&Q so have been quick to latch on, and Ikea kitchens are the same all over). I last went to Brico Depot about 3 years ago and they had rubbish then , but a friend has recently bought a nice looking white kitchen from there with fitted appliances at a dirt cheap price. If you drive to Poitiers you'll find Hygena nearly next door to Leroy Merlin, and drive a bit further to find Brico Depot. If you are in South Charente head down to Bordeaux where you can browse around the super kitchens in Ikea (which is next door to Leroy Merlin, Castarama, But etc). You have to feel the quality, test drawers etc etc.

If you want a regular income, forget the gite - you'll only get a 10-12 week season. Buy a separate property (with heating!) and let it out longterm unfurnished.

Which day Helen?

.......and in a super B&B we stayed at in France, all piled up in a very pretty little basket. I have enough problems at home with jam and butter, so am quite happy to be served this way. I know it's difficult for those who make their own jams (and butter maybe?) but actually some homemade jams I've been served taste awful (er......my mother springs to mind here!!!).

Just be aware that the sites give limited information! My registration covers all sorts of things but the Siret checking sites says that I create and maintain ornamental gardens - LOL, not many of those around here in rural Charente. My partner is registered with the CdM, but the site just says he's a plasterboard installer (only one of the many trades he registered as)!

We hardly ever stay at B&Bs, mainly as most of our trips back to the UK are to visit/stay with family and I really like my privacy/anonimity (sp?) for a couple of nights. However, we stayed in a super one in the Pyrennees when ski-ing. The owners had their own quarters but ate with the guests, were friendly and welcoming but unobtrusive, they had loads of information about the area and were easy to find if we needed them, but I didn't feel stifled or interrogated, which for me is a big thing! The rooms were huge, warm and comfortable but without all the frilly cushion, cuddly toy stuff which I hate and had to live with for a few days when holidaying in the Yorkshire Dales. I think the worst one we have ever stayed in was in Hampshire. The bed leg was broken and propped up on a pile of books which all collapsed during the night. The owner's husband had run off with a neighbour a few days before so there was no breakfast as his wife just drank and cried. So sad.........but I definitely won't be going back.

i'm OK here which is really surprising as I have a beautiful but cantankerous iMac. PS I really hope Archant didn't spend too much on that 'orrible logo, James! Oops, will I be banned now?

Sorry Tricia, the "way of life" may be wonderful for the children (if you are considering a move to rural France though, they may be bored to tears), but what opportunities are there for a 16 year old who doesn't speak much French? He wouldn't be able to progress to HE and how would he get a job? It's harsh, but you may have to wait. It seems to me that there are far more opportunities for 16 year olds in the UK than there are in France.

Chris, next time that happens ask the seller to change his/her settings to allow your bid if you're wanting the item delivered within the UK. I'm doing it all the time as I buy weird music for my brother who has a really duff pc.

Collette - I think you are telling it like it seems to you! OK yes, winters can be long, and the temperature drops occasionally; yes, a couple of years ago it rained for most of November and most of February, and this year it rained for most of March. But, inbetween the sun shines and the Charente is a wonderful place to be. Yes, I've been a bit bored by the end of the winter, but that's because I earn a crust as a garden maintenance bod so am desperate by March to get out there and start strimming again! None of my friends seem to get bored, some work, some don't but most have lived here happily for over 4 years and, like me, wouldn't swap it for the world. However, they all wanted to come in the first place! If you don't think you'll enjoy year round living here, you definitely won't; like anywhere, you really have to want to live there, to be happy.